Improved tanning composition



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAM BEACH, OF HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVED TANNING COMPOSITION.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 33,564, dated October 29, 1861.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BEACH, of Hamden, in the county ofNew Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Composition for Tanning Leather; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a substitute for the ordinary slow process of tanning leather, said substitute serving the important purpose of tanning hides in a much less time than the common process, and at the same time making much better leather, the leather remainingfor years in the same soft and finished condition in which it appears when it leaves the tannery-a thing not to my knowledge experienced with any of the quick tanning processes devised as substitutes for the ordinary slow process.

My invention consists in the combination, with terra-japonica or other well-known tannin, of sumac, Glaubers salt, sal-soda, saltpeter, common salt, and rye-bran, the several ingredients being mixed in about the proportions hereinafter named and dissolved in warm water.

To enable others to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the samewitll reference to the proportions and the effect of the several ingredients.

For one hundred calf-skins take two hundred pounds of terra-japonica, fifty pounds of Sicily sumac, twenty-five pounds of Glaubers salt, twelve pounds of sal-soda, six pounds of saltpeter, six pounds of common salt, and twelve quarts of rye-bran, the whole to be dissolved in three hundred gallons warm water.

The above proportions have been found to be proper; but they may be varied slightly without essentially departing from my invention.

The terra japonica is used as the principle or foundation of my tanning compound. Oak or hemlock bark, or any of the approved tannin substances may be substituted for it, provided an equal strength of liquor is obtained therefrom. The other ingredients are used for the twofold purpose of hastening the tanning processand benefitingthequality oftheleather. Sal-soda softens the water, which is important in many localities where water in its natural state cannot be used for tanning mixtures. Sal-soda also neutralizes the greasy substances in the skins, so that the tannin takes a more speedy effect. Saltpeter opens the pores of the skins for the tannin to more readily penetrate. Sumac serves the double purpose of tannin and giving the proper color to the leather. Salt serves for preserving the tanning-liquor, and also assists its penetration of the skins. Ryebran serves for softening and cleansing the skins, and also acts as tannin.

I am aware that rye-meal has been used for raising skins, and that starch has also been used-in tanning compounds, but not with such good eli'ect as rye-bran used in the manner I have set forth.

Having thus described my improved tanning compound, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The use of rye-bran in tanning compounds for the purpose set forth.

2. The within-described tanning compound, composed of the several ingredients named, in substantially the proportions described.

WILLIAM BEACH.

Witnesses:

FRANKLIN E. IVES, LEVERETT HITCHCOCK. 

